Posted on 06/25/2007 8:18:28 AM PDT by Borges
RICHFIELD, Minn. (AP) The last survivor of the first American flag-raising over Iwo Jima during World War Two has died.
Charles Lindberg of Richfield, Minnesota, was 86. He grew up in Grand Forks.
Lindberg died yesterday at Fairview Southdale Hospital in Edina (ee-DYE'-nuh), according to the director of the funeral home that's handling arrangements.
Lindberg spent decades explaining that it was his patrol, not the one captured in the famous photograph by Abe Rosenthal of The Associated Press, that raised the first flag over the island.
In the late morning of February 23rd, 1945, Lindberg fired his flame-thrower into enemy pillboxes at the base of Mount Suribachi and then joined five other Marines fighting their way to the top.
He was awarded the Silver Star for bravery.
After his discharge in January 1946, Lindberg went home to Grand Forks until 1951, when he moved to Richfield and became an electrician.
In an interview with the A-P in 2003, Lindberg recalled two of the men found a big, long pipe there, "tied the flag to it, took it to the highest spot we could find and we raised it." The moment was captured by Sergeant Lou Lowery, a photographer from the Corps' Leatherneck magazine, but three of the six men never saw his photos. They were among the 59-hundred Marines killed on the island.
Last month, Lindberg attended groundbreaking at the site of a new veterans memorial in Richfield.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
GOD BLESS THIS HERO AND HIS FAMILY
Amen to that.
Brings up a lump in my craw.
It is reported when that first flag was hoisted the whole place went nuts. Cheering, whistles blowing on the ships etc. When the next and most famous one happened, nobody barely took notice.
Did you read that last week Japan changed the name of the island?
Yep.
My heartfelt thanks in regards to these Great Men of the United States of America.
My heartfelt prayer for the family of this Hero.
A Marine
A Marine is an American Hero,
when called he’s prepared to go.
A Marine gives nothing but his all,
for his country he will take the fall.
When his country is in need,
he is there to take the lead.
America knows she can depend,
on her Marines to be there to defend.
A Marine has earned America’s respect,
America owes him for giving his life to protect.
In a Marines darkest hour,
a Marine will never cower.
Through war’s dark and violent wrath,
Bravery will guide him to freedom’s path.
Strength and courage he defines,
facing the enemy on the front lines.
To his country a Marine is loyal,
valiantly fighting on enemy soil.
Through every challenge and test,
a Marine proves he’s America’s best.
A Marine is dedicated and dutiful,
to his country America the beautiful.
A Marine fights for the Red, White and Blue,
he is America’s proud, the brave and the few.
America thanks you for the service you give,
because of you in freedom we live.
Dedicated to my nephew Wesley D. Swain, PFC USMC
By Jamie Badour
Copyright 2006
Listed 01/04/2007
Rest in Peace,and thank you for your service.
William B Patton
Rest in peace my friend. You earned it.
ping
Hand Salute..........two
Not doin’ no chop-busting, just FYI, some more comments here - http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1855878/posts
Yeah I noticed it after posting. Durn it.
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